Celebrity and key supporter endorsements
Rt Hon Peter Hain MP
'Thanks to the determination and support of the public and private sector organisations, coalfield communities have started to recover from the devastating effect of the closure of the coalmines. These communities have a wealth of talent that is waiting to be unlocked and I welcome exciting initiatives like the Welsh Coalfields Bond that will help those living in these communities realise their dreams.'
Huw Edwards, BBC newsreader
‘The coalfields communities have been responsible for some of Wales’ greatest artistic performers. The Welsh Coalfields Bond is a wonderful innovative idea because it applies the efficiencies of markets to meeting social and community goals. I commend it to anybody with an interest in supporting the next generation of Welsh creative talent.’
‘The coalfields communities have been responsible for some of Wales’ greatest artistic performers. The Welsh Coalfields Bond is a wonderful innovative idea because it applies the efficiencies of markets to meeting social and community goals. I commend it to anybody with an interest in supporting the next generation of Welsh creative talent.’
Julien Macdonald OBE, Fashion Designer
'There is so much talent in Wales, but it’s really hard to get into the industry. Money from the Bond could have helped me in the early days by paying for all the expensive equipment that I regularly used and needed to develop my designs.’
'There is so much talent in Wales, but it’s really hard to get into the industry. Money from the Bond could have helped me in the early days by paying for all the expensive equipment that I regularly used and needed to develop my designs.’
Lord Rowe Beddoe – extract from his maiden speech at the House of Lords
‘I took part in the launch of an imaginatively constructed, zero coupon, Welsh Coalfields Bond, designed to liberate creative talent in all age groups. The performing arts specifically can and do make a difference in monetary terms, but they are also vital to our education system and to community well-being.’
‘I took part in the launch of an imaginatively constructed, zero coupon, Welsh Coalfields Bond, designed to liberate creative talent in all age groups. The performing arts specifically can and do make a difference in monetary terms, but they are also vital to our education system and to community well-being.’
Peter Griffiths, Chief Executive, Principality Building Society (The Principality were the first investors in the Bond at £250,000)
‘The Welsh Coalfields Bond is a highly innovative financial instrument. It aligns the efficiency and returns of the money markets to social and community goals, firmly reflecting the principal of mutuality that is at the core of this building society.
‘The Welsh Coalfields Bond is a highly innovative financial instrument. It aligns the efficiency and returns of the money markets to social and community goals, firmly reflecting the principal of mutuality that is at the core of this building society.
I urge organisations across Wales to follow our example and subscribe to the bond. By forgoing any interest they would earn on their investment they can help fund an awards scheme to support the creative talents in the former coalfields area.’